I was never one to be interested in cars. In middle school, my best friend was already pining for her dream car, and I didn’t really understand all the different car names that she threw at me. Fast forward to high school, I didn’t start driving till the end of my junior year because I procrastinated on passing the written test in order to get my permit. I was perfectly content with my little Honda Accord 1995. It was the perfect car to get roughed up when learning how to drive! I’ve definitely scraped a few sidewalks and maybe left a few paint marks on other people’s cars… During my senior year, I transitioned to a Honda Accord 2013. I still drive it! It is really comfortable and convenient, with a dark silver hue.
As my fiancé and I are preparing for married life, we started talking about buying a new car. He really wants the 2019 Leaf Plus. I am happy that he is interested in an EV (electric vehicle) since it’ll be more environmentally friendly for his daily commute and he’ll have charging stations at work. I’m excited to take over his Scion FR-S. Other than the fact that the car can barely fit my coaching items: balls and cart, I love how sleek it is. I haven’t gone too crazy driving it but it was definitely quite the adventure driving around in the mountainous windy roads. I would never get into it, but that’s how I started looking into drag racing in Arizona.
Phoenix Car Scene
I heard from a little bird that Phoenix is the place you want to go if you love auto events, car shows, and drag racing. There is an exhaustive list of anything car-related. Here are three of my favorite Car Shows:
- Arizona Indoor Custom Car Show. If you’re traveling with someone who may not be as interested in cars as you might be, this show will be sure to pique their interest. They’ll be impressed by the customized body modifications and unique paint on jobs on custom lowriders, hot rods, bicycles, motorcycles, and more.
- Arizona International Auto Show. If you love keeping up to date with each year’s newest car models and luxury vehicles, you won’t want to miss out on this particular show!
- Run to the Pines Car Show. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy anything made before I was born and this show boasts a collection of pre-1973 cars. It’s also nice to know that its proceeds end up going to local charities.
Racing
Another huge component of the car scene in Arizona that you definitely don’t want to miss out on is the speed racing! I had a hard time searching up what the scene might look like in Arizona because street racing or drag racing is actually illegal in the state of Arizona.
Street racing is an unsanctioned and illegal form of auto racing that occurs on a public road. It encompasses drag racing, which is a form of auto racing in which two automobiles or motorcycles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line over a short, straight course. The most common distance is 1,320 ft (402 m), but there has been a popular shorter distance of 1,000 ft (305 m). The races have shortened to 1,000 ft over the years because of safety concerns. Now then, let’s take a look at Arizona’s law on drag racing.
A.R.S. § 28-708(A) states “A person shall not drive a vehicle or participate in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on a street or highway.” I’m glad I don’t live in Arizona because I sometimes road rage when I drive, especially when people rudely cut me off on the highway or I’m feeling snarky on the Interstate 5 on my way down to Southern California. I’m glad because the things I have mentioned is a violation of the law stated above and I could get arrested for that or for exhibition of speed.
Laws against drag racing, racing on highways, and engaging in exhibitions of speed are classified as Class One misdemeanor offense. The first violation can result in either probation or up to six months in jail, a $2500 fine, a 90-day driver’s license suspension, and community service. If the driver commits another offense of the same nature within two years of the first, the individual may be charged with a Class 6 felony that includes: probation, up to 1 year in jail, a prison sentence between 4 months to 2 years, a $500 fine, community service, and revocation of the driver’s license.
I don’t fully endorse any type of drag racing, however, should you accidentally get involved, here are a few defenses I have heard from people that have luckily gotten out of their sticky situations:
- No other vehicles were involved
- Not racing but fleeing away from a road rage incident (this only works when your vehicle is ahead of the other vehicle)
- You have your Miranda rights, and should the police ignore the Miranda procedure, your statements can be considered involuntary and invalid during court
If you just want to attend any of these speed-racing events as a spectator, feel free to check out the following:
I do not recommend that you participate in these races. However, if you do, please be aware of the consequences it could pose if you were to get caught.